Children's Picture Book
Date Published: February 1, 2015
Date Published: February 1, 2015
A Manual For Marco:
Living, Learning, and Laughing With an Autistic Sibling
Why does he act that way?
Pages from the diary of an eight-year old girl who decides to make a list of all the things she likes and dislikes about dealing with her autistic brother, and in doing so realizes that she has created A Manual for Marco.
Why does he act that way?
Pages from the diary of an eight-year old girl who decides to make a list of all the things she likes and dislikes about dealing with her autistic brother, and in doing so realizes that she has created A Manual for Marco.
Interview
Is there a message in
your book that you want readers to grasp?
While there is a wealth of information that deals with the
various challenges faced by parents of autistic children, there is relatively
little information available on how a sibling can cope with an autistic brother
or sister. My latest children’s book A
Manual for Marco, is considered a game changer in that category. For
8-year-old Sofia—the main character in the book—living with her autistic
brother is not easy but she does so with wisdom, wit and loads of
patience.
Is there anything you
find particularly challenging in your writing?
The toughest challenge for me as a busy working mother is to
find adequate time to devote to writing, which often takes a back seat to my
other obligations. Unlike other writers who set aside time to regularly focus
on their talent, I write in bursts. When I am on an assignment or have an idea
in my head, I often stay up late or wake up early to write.
How many books have
you written and which is your favorite?
I have written five books so far. Two for adults: Saffron Dreams and Beyond the Cayenne Wall, and three for children: My Friend Suhana,
Rani in Search of a Rainbow, and A
Manual for Marco. It is hard to pick a favorite. Each one is special and
unique to me in its own way.
If you had the chance
to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
Meesha Shafi would be perfect to play the role
of Sofia’s mother in A Manual for Marco.
She is a popular Coke Studio singer who also starred in The Reluctant Fundamentalist.
When did you begin
writing?
Writing for me has always been as natural as doing art or
design. When I decided to make design a career, I promised my father that
writing would be a very serious hobby. With five books under my belt, I have
proven that I do take writing vey seriously.
How long did it take
to complete your first book?
The first book was never meant to be one. I was writing
short segments as a personal journaling exercise, which took a fictional bend.
From concept to publication, the collection probably took three years. It took me 9 months to write my second book Saffron Dreams, and 3 years to edit it.
In the end, my publisher had to yank it away from me to publish it. I have been
a bit better in my subsequent efforts, taking an average of 6-8 months from
writing to publication.
Did you have an
author who inspired you to become a writer?
When I was attending a community college in California, my
English teacher introduced me to the works of Indian author Chitra Banerjee
Divakaruni. I was fascinated by how much culture she brought forth in her
works. My teacher felt that I had what it takes to follow in her footsteps.
Chitra is now a very dear friend.
What is your favorite
part of the writing process?
Hands down, my favorite part is holding the final product in
my hands. Being a designer I have always negotiated full control over the
visuals, layout, and design of each book. So for me it has always been an added
excitement to see that final piece.
Describe your latest
book in 4 words.
Sibling Dealing With Autism
Can you share a
little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?
After releasing A
Manual for Marco in February, I am taking a much-needed break for a while.
Trying to do three books in a year has exhausted me.
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Interview
Is there a message in
your book that you want readers to grasp?
While there is a wealth of information that deals with the
various challenges faced by parents of autistic children, there is relatively
little information available on how a sibling can cope with an autistic brother
or sister. My latest children’s book A
Manual for Marco, is considered a game changer in that category. For
8-year-old Sofia—the main character in the book—living with her autistic
brother is not easy but she does so with wisdom, wit and loads of
patience.
Is there anything you
find particularly challenging in your writing?
The toughest challenge for me as a busy working mother is to
find adequate time to devote to writing, which often takes a back seat to my
other obligations. Unlike other writers who set aside time to regularly focus
on their talent, I write in bursts. When I am on an assignment or have an idea
in my head, I often stay up late or wake up early to write.
How many books have
you written and which is your favorite?
I have written five books so far. Two for adults: Saffron Dreams and Beyond the Cayenne Wall, and three for children: My Friend Suhana,
Rani in Search of a Rainbow, and A
Manual for Marco. It is hard to pick a favorite. Each one is special and
unique to me in its own way.
If you had the chance
to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
Meesha Shafi would be perfect to play the role
of Sofia’s mother in A Manual for Marco.
She is a popular Coke Studio singer who also starred in The Reluctant Fundamentalist.
When did you begin
writing?
Writing for me has always been as natural as doing art or
design. When I decided to make design a career, I promised my father that
writing would be a very serious hobby. With five books under my belt, I have
proven that I do take writing vey seriously.
How long did it take
to complete your first book?
The first book was never meant to be one. I was writing
short segments as a personal journaling exercise, which took a fictional bend.
From concept to publication, the collection probably took three years. It took me 9 months to write my second book Saffron Dreams, and 3 years to edit it.
In the end, my publisher had to yank it away from me to publish it. I have been
a bit better in my subsequent efforts, taking an average of 6-8 months from
writing to publication.
Did you have an
author who inspired you to become a writer?
When I was attending a community college in California, my
English teacher introduced me to the works of Indian author Chitra Banerjee
Divakaruni. I was fascinated by how much culture she brought forth in her
works. My teacher felt that I had what it takes to follow in her footsteps.
Chitra is now a very dear friend.
What is your favorite
part of the writing process?
Hands down, my favorite part is holding the final product in
my hands. Being a designer I have always negotiated full control over the
visuals, layout, and design of each book. So for me it has always been an added
excitement to see that final piece.
Describe your latest
book in 4 words.
Sibling Dealing With Autism
After releasing A
Manual for Marco in February, I am taking a much-needed break for a while.
Trying to do three books in a year has exhausted me.
Shaila Abdullah is an award-winning author and designer based in Austin, Texas. She has written five books: Saffron Dreams, Beyond the Cayenne Wall, My Friend Suhana, Rani in Search of a Rainbow, and A Manual for Marco. The author has received several awards for her work including the Golden Quill Award and Patras Bukhari Award for English Language. Several academic institutions have adopted her books as course study or recommended reading, including the University of California, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Indiana University, Boston University, California State University, and George Washington University. Learn more about the author at www.ShailaAbdullah.com
Shaila Abdullah is an award-winning author and designer based in Austin, Texas. She has written five books: Saffron Dreams, Beyond the Cayenne Wall, My Friend Suhana, Rani in Search of a Rainbow, and A Manual for Marco. The author has received several awards for her work including the Golden Quill Award and Patras Bukhari Award for English Language. Several academic institutions have adopted her books as course study or recommended reading, including the University of California, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Indiana University, Boston University, California State University, and George Washington University. Learn more about the author at www.ShailaAbdullah.com
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